Excalibur Cutlery & Gifts, which has been at Washington Square for 30 years, had to close its doors at the Tigard mall on Jan. 31 because owner John Jost said his lease wasn't extended. That was the final straw, Jost said Thursday, adding that he plans to file for bankruptcy and close all of his stores on Monday.Excalibur Cutlery & Gifts

Excalibur Cutlery & Gifts struggled to stay afloat in recent years through the 2008 snow storm, the recession and a long and winding recovery. But each year, said owner John Jost, his successful store at Washington Square buoyed Excalibur's eight other locations each year until the more prosperous holiday season.

Jost said he will file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy on Thursday and said his eight stores in Oregon and Washington will close Monday. He said he's already issued final paychecks to his 50 employees.

"It's really sad, this is a company that's been around for decades -- it's a staple in the community," said Jost, who bought the company with his wife in 2007 actualizing their dreams of entrepreneurship and growing a solid local business.

"It's our livelihood to," he said, "I'm unemployed like they are as of Monday."